Tom Izzo: Making Big Ten History
Tom Izzo made even more Big Ten history on Saturday. The long-time Michigan State head coach secured his 354th conference win, breaking Bob Knight’s long-standing record for the most conference wins in Big Ten history. This milestone was achieved in a resounding 79-65 victory over Illinois. Izzo, who has been at the helm of the Spartans for 30 seasons, already holds the record for the most total wins all-time for a Big Ten head coach at 727. His numerous other achievements and records have cemented his place as one of the greatest coaches in the conference’s storied history. As Izzo surpasses this new milestone, the debate about the greatest Big Ten coach of all time is sure to rage on, with many comparing his legacy to that of Bob Knight. Let’s take a closer look at the top 10 coaches in Big Ten men’s basketball history, starting with those who have made significant contributions to the league.
Ward Lambert: Establishing Purdue’s Basketball Legacy
Purdue’s Ward Lambert, who took the reins in 1916, was instrumental in establishing the Boilermakers as a basketball power. When the Big Ten expanded in 1918, Lambert guided Purdue to 11 conference championships over a 20-year period from 1920 to 1940. These 11 regular-season conference titles are tied for the most by a coach in Big Ten history. Despite coaching for 28 seasons, Lambert’s win totals were somewhat limited by the era he coached in, where the Big Ten didn’t exist and the NCAA Tournament wasn’t created until later. Nevertheless, he finished with 371 total Big Ten wins and 228 conference victories, placing him sixth and fifth in those categories as of February 2025. Lambert’s enduring legacy is a testament to his visionary approach and the foundation he laid for Purdue’s future success.
Lou Henson: Illinois’ Consistent Champion
Lou Henson’s 21-season tenure at Illinois (1975-96) was marked by consistent excellence. The Fighting Illini had 13 top-five finishes in the conference over a 15-year stretch from 1980 to 1995, culminating in a regular-season title in 1984. Illinois made the NCAA Tournament in 12 of those 13 seasons, advancing to the Sweet 16 four times, the Elite Eight twice, and the Final Four once. Henson’s long stretch of success placed him high on the all-time wins lists in the Big Ten. When he left Illinois, Henson had the second-most overall wins (421) and third-most conference wins (214) in Big Ten history. As of February 2025, he ranks sixth and fifth, respectively, and his .731 winning percentage at Wisconsin is the best of any coach who has coached at least 110 games at a Big Ten school.
Bo Ryan: Wisconsin’s Steady Hand
Bo Ryan became Wisconsin’s head coach a year after the Badgers made the Final Four, and he maintained the program’s high standards throughout his 16-year tenure. Ryan’s immediate success was evident when he led Wisconsin to a Big Ten regular-season title in the 2001-02 season, a surprise at the time. However, Wisconsin fans came to expect such successes, as Ryan led the Badgers to three more Big Ten titles and three Big Ten Tournament wins. Under his leadership, the Badgers made the NCAA Tournament and finished in the top five of the conference in each of the 15 full seasons he was at the helm. Ryan also guided the team to five Sweet 16 trips, one Elite Eight appearance, and two Final Four appearances, including a memorable upset over undefeated Kentucky in the 2014 semifinal. Ryan’s 364 total wins and 172 conference victories are testament to his consistent excellence. As of February 2025, his .731 winning percentage at Wisconsin is the best of any coach with at least 110 games coached at a Big Ten institution.
Jud Heathcote: Michigan State’s Early Architect
Jud Heathcote laid the groundwork for Michigan State’s current success during his 19-season tenure as head coach (1976-95). Early in his career, Heathcote recruited Magic Johnson, and together they led the Spartans to their first national championship in 1979. They also won two Big Ten titles during this partnership. After a brief period of down seasons in the early 1980s, Heathcote revitalized the program in the late 1980s and 1990s, leading Michigan State to nine top-five Big Ten finishes in his final 12 seasons, including another regular-season title in 1990. At the time of his retirement, Heathcote had the fifth-most total wins (336) in Big Ten history. As of February 2025, he sits 10th in total wins and has the eighth-most conference wins (182). His contributions to Michigan State’s legacy are immeasurable.
Matt Painter: Purdue’s Modern Maestro
Matt Painter has been a mainstay at Purdue, maintaining the Boilermakers’ position as a Big Ten powerhouse for two decades. Painter’s record is marked by few down years, and he has secured a winning season 17 times in his 20 years as head coach. Under his guidance, Purdue has made the NCAA Tournament 15 times, winning at least one game in 11 of those appearances and reaching the Sweet 16 seven times, the Elite Eight twice, and the Final Four once. Painter’s teams have consistently contended for Big Ten titles, finishing in the top four 14 times and winning five regular-season titles and two conference tournament titles. His recent success, highlighted by coaching Zach Edey, who was named National Player of the Year twice, and leading Purdue to their first national championship appearance since 1969 in 2024, places him in a strong position to challenge Izzo’s win records. Painter is currently fourth in total wins (466) and conference wins (237) in Big Ten history, with five Big Ten Coach of the Year awards, the second-most in conference history.
Gene Keady: Purdue’s Innovator
Gene Keady followed in Ward Lambert’s footsteps, transforming Purdue into a Big Ten powerhouse during his 25-year tenure (1980-2005). A few years after his hiring, Keady began a 12-year stretch where he led the Boilermakers to six Big Ten regular-season titles, consistently challenging Indiana during the height of its program’s dominance. Keady’s teams finished outside the top five in the Big Ten standings only four times, providing a rare level of stability in the conference. This consistency translated to frequent NCAA Tournament appearances, with Purdue making the tournament 16 times between 1982 and 2000. They reached the Elite Eight twice and the Sweet 16 five times. Keady’s accolades include seven Big Ten Coach of the Year awards, the most all-time, and six national coach of the year honors. His 512 total wins and 265 conference victories are third all-time for a Big Ten coach, and he recorded 14 seasons with 20 or more wins during his time at Purdue.
Fred Taylor: Ohio State’s Dominance
Fred Taylor’s stint as Ohio State’s head coach from 1958 to 1976 was one of the most dominant runs in Big Ten history. After a .500 season in his inaugural year, Taylor led the Buckeyes to five consecutive Big Ten titles, culminating in a national championship in his second season. Ohio State’s regular season records in the following two years were equally impressive, with a 27-0 mark entering the 1961 national championship and a 26-1 record in 1962. Although they fell short in the final games, Taylor’s teams remained strong, reaching the Final Four again in 1968 and the Elite Eight in 1971. Taylor’s run at Ohio State ended after a few middling seasons in 1976, but his legacy as one of the conference’s best coaches is secure. He finished with 297 total wins and seven regular-season titles, the seventh-most in Big Ten history.
Branch McCracken: Indiana’s Pioneer
Branch McCracken was a pioneer in making Indiana one of basketball’s blue blood programs during his nearly 30-year tenure as head coach. In just his second season, McCracken led Indiana to a national championship in 1940, quickly establishing the Hoosiers as a Big Ten power. Over the next decade, he guided the team to five second-place finishes before securing his first Big Ten title in the 1952-53 season with an impressive 17-1 conference record. McCracken’s teams added three more Big Ten titles and several 20-win seasons, despite playing in an era with fewer games and a less expanded NCAA Tournament. His 364 total wins and 210 conference victories placed him second in Big Ten history at the time of his departure in 1965. As of February 2025, he is tied for seventh in both categories, a testament to his lasting impact on Indiana’s basketball tradition.
Tom Izzo: The Modern Era’s Consistency King
Tom Izzo has made Michigan State the epitome of consistency in college basketball since taking over as head coach in 1995. After modest NIT appearances in his first two seasons, Izzo has led the Spartans to an NCAA Tournament appearance in every subsequent season, excluding the 2019-20 season when the tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This 26-season streak is the longest for a coach at a single school. Izzo’s national championship in 2000 came early in his tenure and was part of a trio of Final Four appearances, making him one of only three coaches to achieve this feat since the field expanded to 64 teams in 1985. He has made the Final Four five more times since then, and 26 of his first 29 recruiting classes have experienced a Final Four. Izzo’s 10 regular-season Big Ten titles are the second-most all-time, and his six conference tournament titles are the most in Big Ten history, two more than the second-place coach.
Bob Knight: The Indisputable Legend
Even though Tom Izzo has now surpassed Bob Knight for the most conference wins in Big Ten history, Knight’s résumé as the best head coach in the conference remains unmatched. Knight’s 29-year tenure at Indiana from 1971 to 2000 was marked by nearly annual NCAA Tournament appearances, with 25 appearances. His success in March is legendary, as he led Indiana to three national titles, the most for any Big Ten coach, including the last perfect season in Division I in 1975-76 (32-0). Indiana made the Final Four twice and the Elite Eight eight times under Knight’s leadership. In conference play, Knight’s Hoosiers were nearly unstoppable, winning 11 regular-season Big Ten titles, the most in conference history, and finishing outside the top five only three times. Despite his tumultuous end at Indiana, Knight’s impact on the program and the conference is undeniable. His previous records for the most total wins (727) and conference victories (353) in Big Ten history speak volumes about his coaching prowess.
Honorable Mentions
While the top 10 coaches in Big Ten history have left indelible marks, several others deserve recognition for their contributions. Wisconsin’s Harold "Bud" Foster and Illinois’ Harry Combes are among the honorable mentions. Foster, a Wisconsin legend, helped build the foundation for the program’s success, and Combes, who led Illinois to multiple conference titles and NCAA Tournament appearances, was a key figure in the Illini’s early rise. Their legacies, though not as statistically prominent, are part of the rich tapestry of Big Ten basketball history.
These coaches, each in their unique way, have shaped the landscape of Big Ten men’s basketball, leaving a legacy of success, innovation, and resilience. Whether it’s the early pioneers like Ward Lambert and Branch McCracken or the modern-day maestros like Tom Izzo and Matt Painter, their contributions have made the Big Ten one of the most competitive and storied conferences in college basketball.
